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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 28 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 28

  Designating the year 2005 as the ``Year of Foreign Language Study''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 1, 2005

    Mr. Dodd (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
    Bingaman, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
   Lautenberg, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating the year 2005 as the ``Year of Foreign Language Study''.

Whereas according to the 2000 decennial census of the population, 9.3 percent of 
        Americans speak both their native language and another language 
        fluently;
Whereas according to the European Commission Directorate General for Education 
        and Culture, 52.7 percent of Europeans speak both their native language 
        and another language fluently;
Whereas the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 names foreign 
        language study as part of a core curriculum that includes English, 
        mathematics, science, civics, economics, arts, history, and geography;
Whereas according to the Joint Center for International Language, foreign 
        language study increases a student's cognitive and critical thinking 
        abilities;
Whereas according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 
        foreign language study increases a student's ability to compare and 
        contrast cultural concepts;
Whereas according to a 1992 report by the College Entrance Examination Board, 
        students with 4 or more years in foreign language study scored higher on 
        the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students 
        who did not;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 labels foreign language study as vital 
        to secure the future economic welfare of the United States in a growing 
        international economy;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 recommends encouraging businesses and 
        foreign language study programs to work in a mutually productive 
        relationship which benefits the Nation's future economic interest;
Whereas according to the Centers for International Business Education and 
        Research program, foreign language study provides the ability both to 
        gain a comprehensive understanding of and to interact with the cultures 
        of United States trading partners, and thus establishes a solid 
        foundation for successful economic relationships;
Whereas Report 107-592 of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
        House of Representatives concludes that American multinational 
        corporations and nongovernmental organizations do not have the people 
        with the foreign language abilities and cultural exposure that are 
        needed;
Whereas the 2001 Hart-Rudman Report on National Security in the 21st Century 
        names foreign language study and requisite knowledge in languages as 
        vital for the Federal Government to meet 21st century security 
        challenges properly and effectively;
Whereas the American intelligence community stresses that individuals with 
        proper foreign language expertise are greatly needed to work on 
        important national security and foreign policy issues, especially in 
        light of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
Whereas a 1998 study conducted by the National Foreign Language Center concludes 
        that inadequate resources existed for the development, publication, 
        distribution, and teaching of critical foreign languages (such as 
        Arabic, Vietnamese, and Thai) because of low student enrollment in the 
        United States; and
Whereas a shortfall of experts in foreign languages has seriously hampered 
        information gathering and analysis within the American intelligence 
        community as demonstrated by the 2000 Cox Commission noting shortfalls 
        in Chinese proficiency, and the National Intelligence Council citing 
        deficiencies in Central Eurasian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern 
        languages: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) it is the sense of the Senate that foreign language 
        study makes important contributions to a student's cognitive 
        development, our national economy, and our national security;
            (2) the Senate--
                    (A) designates the year 2005 as the ``Year of 
                Foreign Language Study'', during which foreign language 
                study is promoted and expanded in elementary schools, 
                secondary schools, institutions of higher learning, 
                businesses, and government programs; and
                    (B) requests that the President issue a 
                proclamation calling upon the people of the United 
                States to--
                            (i) encourage and support initiatives to 
                        promote and expand the study of foreign 
                        languages; and
                            (ii) observe the ``Year of Foreign Language 
                        Study'' with appropriate ceremonies, programs, 
                        and other activities.
                                 <all>
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